WORKING GROUP II

VI. POPULATION GROWTH AND STRUCTURE:

A. Fertility, mortality and population growth areas: Finland
and Switzerland felt that 6.3 (reduction of world population) was
repetitive. Niger affirmed the importance of respect for individual
rights. In 6.4 (steps to reduce population growth), the Russian
Federation noted that programmes should be flexible and consider
the need to sustain population growth in Eastern Europe. The Holy
See preferred reference to "appropriate levels of fertility"
instead of "low levels of fertility."

B. Children and Youth: In 6.7 (promotion of the well-being
of children and youth), Madagascar wanted an additional paragraph
on street children. The US added a paragraph regarding prevention
of early pregnancies and reduction of maternal morbidity and
mortality resulting from unsafe abortion. Honduras insisted that
"access to reproductive health" should not compromise access to
information by parents.In 6.8 (eliminating child
exploitation),the Philippines added reference to child
pornography. The Republic of Korea stated that all countries should
adopt laws against child trafficking. Egypt, Nepal and Chile
suggested adding rape and incest. Many developing countries
referred to the economic realities requiring the labor contribution
of children. In 6.9 (child labor laws), India and Bolivia called
for improvements in socio-economic conditions, rather than
enforcement of child labor laws. In 6.12 (youth participation in
population activities), Ghana requested reference to substance
abuse.Mexico called for increased reference to health and
sex education.

C. Ageing populations: New Zealand and Switzerland preferred
the term "older people," rather than "ageing populations" or "the
elderly." In 6.14 (objective), China proposed a new sentence on
financial, medical and amusement support for the elderly. Morocco
proposed a new objective on family protection and responsibility
for the elderly. The Solomon Islands said that conditions must be
created so the elderly can participate in the community, if so
desired. In 6.16 (contribution of the elderly), Chile and Benin
proposed referencing laws that eliminate discrimination and
violence against the elderly, especially women. Australia wanted
the elderly consulted in the policy-making process.

D. Indigenous people: Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and
Peru suggested that this section be incorporated into Chapter III.
Australia said that reference should be made to the socio-economic
policies that impact indigenous peoples. The EU said that another
objective should refer to the evaluation of population programmes
affecting indigenous communities. The International Treaty Council,
supported by Peru, requested that indigenous peoples' right to
development be recognized. In 6.24, New Zealand added reference to
consultation with indigenous peoples. Sweden and Madagascar
requested a new section on the disabled.

VII. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND FAMILY
PLANNING:

A. Reproductive rights and reproductive health: Bolivia,
Mexico and Peru asked to expand reproductive health to include
sexual health. Malta and Paraguay asked for attention to the
diversity of religious values in 7.3 (provision of health care).
Norway asked for a consistent definition of reproductive health.
Pakistan, the Philippines and the US asked for education for breast
feeding to be added to 7.4 (primary and reproductive health care).
The US, Egypt and India asked to include unsafe abortion and
cancers of the female reproductive system to the list of priority
health hazards. The Holy See agreed that reproductive health should
include treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, but refused
inclusion of abortion and its potential complications. In 7.6
(innovative programs for health care), the US and Sweden asked to
place more emphasis on men's responsibility in child rearing.
Cameroon called for a definition of reproductive rights that heeds
the centrality of family and community. In 7.7 (community
participation), the US stressed the importance of local women's
groups for effective implementation, but Papua New Guinea said that
women's groups are already over-burdened and all NGOs should
participate. Poland and Estonia supported the statement in 7.8
(international assistance to previously centralized economies).
Benin objected and asked for assistance to all poor countries.

B. Family planning: In 7.12 (objective of family planning),
the EU and Egypt found the task of eliminating unwanted pregnancies
unattainable, and instead, asked for a concerted effort to reduce
them. Mexico acknowledged the importance of 7.13 (organizational
support for family health), but argued that this is an
administrative issue and should not be dealt within this chapter.
In 7.14 (barriers to implementation of family planning), India and
Bolivia stressed the need for greater male participation in family
planning. In 7.20 (innovative channels of distribution of
contraceptives), Bolivia called attention to ethics and
responsibilities. Mexico and India called for international
financing for the manufacture and dissemination of safe and
reliable contraceptives in 7.19 (the role of the international
community). Mexico emphasized the need for qualitative and
quantitative methods for evaluating family planning.

C. Sexually transmitted diseases: In 7.26 (information and
distribution of condoms), Zimbabwe asked for more research on
female condoms. The US added that information on "sexually
responsible behavior" should become an integral part of sexual
education. Argentina and the Sudan asked to delete reference to
condoms in this section.

D. Human sexuality and gender equality: In 7.30 (sex
education), Vietnam and Malawi asked for both formal and informal
education on sexuality, especially for boys. In 7.32 (measures
against sexual exploitation), many stressed the need for legal
punitive measures against sexual exploitation and asked for
counseling for the victims.

E. Adolescents: In 7.37 (adolescent reproductive health
issues), many asked for measures to promote abstinence by choice
and responsible sexual behavior among adolescents. Delegates agreed
that not only is early pregnancy a factor in population growth, but
it is also a health hazard to the mother and it should be reduced
both within and outside of marriage. In 7.38 (barriers to
reproductive health services), the EU and Bolivia stressed the need
for the right to confidentiality. Nicaragua stressed that
adolescents' rights to confidentiality jeopardize parental rights
to information about their children. In 7.40 (health and
reproductive services), Peru emphasized that services should
promote responsible sexual behavior.